For Hilda Baybay, Christmas isn’t confined to a single day in December. Her family’s celebrations begin on September 1st, with a tree going up and evolving through spooky Halloween décor before returning to a fully festive Christmas display on November 1st. She is among the roughly 960,000 Filipino Canadians who embrace a significantly extended holiday season.
A Tradition Rooted in History
This tradition of celebrating throughout the “ber” months – September, October, November, and December – stems from the Philippines, where Spanish colonizers introduced Christianity over 300 years ago. Today, the period is marked by gift-buying, neighbourhood beautification, caroling, small fireworks, family feasts, and church attendance. The festivities culminate in Noche Buena, a late-night Christmas Eve dinner and gift-opening.
The practice isn’t new to pop culture, either. Two years ago, Mariah Carey acknowledged the phenomenon on social media, playfully suggesting she’d allow early streams of “All I Want for Christmas” for her Filipino fans when she noticed a surge in listens on September 1st.
Generational Shifts and Community Resilience
While older generations of Filipino Canadians sometimes suppressed these traditions to assimilate, younger generations are increasingly embracing the extended celebration, according to Catholic priest Mario Marin. He noted that he successfully petitioned his strata council to allow balcony decorations before December 1st, aligning with the start of the liturgical advent season.
For some, the season is also a time for giving back. Vancouverite Ariane Azul begins her Christmas preparations as early as summer to send gifts to her children in the Philippines, utilizing the traditional Balikbayan box. She noted that increased income from tax refunds and December bonuses allows her community to be particularly generous during this time.
However, this year’s celebrations are tempered by grief for many in the Filipino BC community, following the tragic loss of 11 bystanders in an SUV attack at a Lapu-Lapu Day block party in April. While a Christmas playlist was released in September, the Filipino BC organization has refrained from office decorations, prioritizing space for healing and remembrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Noche Buena?
Noche Buena is a late-night dinner on Christmas Eve, during which most presents are opened, marking the high point of the Filipino Christmas festivities.
How long do Filipino Canadians typically celebrate Christmas?
Many Filipino Canadians celebrate Christmas from September 1st through Three Kings Day in the new year, a period spanning nearly four months.
Why do some Filipino Canadians begin celebrating so early?
The tradition stems from the Philippines, where Christmas celebrations have historically extended over a longer period, beginning with the “ber” months and rooted in the country’s Spanish colonial past.
As communities navigate both joy and sorrow, how might cultural traditions evolve to best support collective healing and remembrance?
